Endoscopic closure device

ABSTRACT

The present application is directed to an endoscopic closure device. The endoscopic closure device adapted to be delivered by an endoscope having an axis. The endoscopic closure device includes a pair of grasping members coupled by a support member that extends between the grasping members along the direction of the axis. The endoscopic closure device is configured to align and deploy along the axis of the endoscope accessory channel.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to endoscopic closure devicesand, more particularly, to an endoscopic closure device that aligns anddeploys along the axis of an endoscope accessory channel.

BACKGROUND

Less invasive surgical procedures can reduce patient trauma, and as aresult, may reduce the length of hospital stays, as well as hospital andmedical costs. Endoscopic surgery provides a significant opportunity toreduce the invasiveness of numerous surgical procedures. This type ofsurgery involves the use of an endoscope, an instrument that permits thevisual inspection and magnification of cavities within the body.Endoscopes may be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. An endoscope may beinserted through a small surgical incision to view organ structures in abody cavity or through a natural orifice to view lumen-containing organsin the gastrointestinal, respiratory, genital and urinary tracts.Endoscopes typically have channels for irrigation, suction and theinsertion of accessory instruments when a surgical procedure isperformed.

During a surgical procedure, surgeons often are required to repair orreconstruct a tear or defect or otherwise approximate or fixate tissueor other material by suturing. The ability to suture through anendoscope technically is limited. In response to this problem, surgeonshave sought alternatives to conventional suturing techniques that aremore appropriate for use through an endoscope. Among these alternativesis the use of endoscopic clips for closing a tear in tissue.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an endoscopic closure deviceconfigured to align and deploy along an endoscope accessory channel. Theendoscopic closure device includes a pair of grasping members coupled toa support such that the grasping members can be closed along a directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of the endoscope accessory channel.

One aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a surgical closuredevice adapted to be delivered by an endoscope having an axis. Thesurgical closure device includes a first grasping member; a secondgrasping member spaced apart from the first grasping member along adirection substantially parallel to the axis of the endoscope; and asupport member extending between the first grasping member and thesecond grasping member, wherein the first grasping member is coupled tothe support member and the second grasping member is movably coupled tothe support member.

According to one feature, the second grasping member is configured formovement toward the first grasping member along the directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of the endoscope.

According to one feature, the second grasping member is configured formovement toward the first grasping member and away from the firstgrasping member along the direction substantially parallel to the axisof the endoscope.

According to one feature, the second grasping member is movable along afirst direction toward the second grasping member to close the graspingmember and retain the first grasping member and the second graspingmember in a relatively closed relationship.

According to one feature, the second grasping member is movable along asecond direction opposite the first direction to position the first andsecond grasping members in a relatively open relationship.

According to one feature, the first grasping member and the secondgrasping member are releasably closable along the directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of the endoscope.

According to one feature, the second grasping member is movably coupledto the support member by a ratcheting mechanism.

According to one feature, the first grasping member and the secondgrasping member are coupled to the support at an angle of less thanabout 45 degrees.

According to one feature, the first grasping member and the secondgrasping member are spaced apart by about 15 millimeters.

According to one feature, the first grasping member and the secondgrasping member are spaced apart by about 50 millimeters.

Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a closure deviceadapted to be delivered by an endoscope. The surgical closure deviceincludes an outer tube having a proximal end, a distal end and an axis;a pusher tube disposed and movable within the outer tube along adirection substantially parallel to the axis of the outer tube; and asurgical tie disposed and movable within the outer tube. The surgicaltie includes a first grasping member; a second grasping member spacedapart from the first grasping member along a direction substantiallyparallel to the axis of the endoscope; and a support member extendingbetween the first grasping member and the second grasping member,wherein the first grasping member is coupled to the support member andthe second grasping member is movably coupled to the support member.

According to one feature, the second grasping member is configured formovement toward the first grasping member along the directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of the endoscope.

According to one feature, the pusher tube is movable in a distaldirection and adapted to move the second grasping member toward thefirst grasping member.

According to one feature, the second grasping member is configured formovement toward the first grasping member and away from the firstgrasping member along the direction substantially parallel to the axisof the endoscope.

According to one feature, the second grasping member is movable along afirst direction toward the second grasping member to close the graspingmember and retain the first grasping member and the second graspingmember in a relatively closed relationship.

According to one feature, the pusher tube is movable in a distaldirection and adapted to move the second grasping member toward thefirst grasping member.

According to one feature, the second grasping member is movable along asecond direction opposite the first direction to position the first andsecond grasping members in a relatively open relationship.

According to one feature, the first grasping member and the secondgrasping member are releasably closable along the directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of the endoscope.

According to one feature, the pusher tube is adapted to close the secondgrasping member by moving the second grasping member toward the firstgrasping member.

According to one feature, the second grasping member is movably coupledto the support member by a ratcheting mechanism.

According to one feature, the first grasping member and the secondgrasping member are coupled to the support at an angle of less thanabout 45 degrees.

According to one feature, the first grasping member and the secondgrasping member are spaced apart by about 15 millimeters.

According to one feature, the first grasping member and the secondgrasping member are spaced apart by about 50 millimeters.

Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a method ofendoscopically closing a tear in a tissue. The method includes providinga closure device through an endoscope having an axis, the closure devicehaving a first grasping member and a second grasping member spaced apartfrom the first grasping member along a direction substantially parallelto the axis and a support member coupled to the first grasping memberand movably coupled to the second grasping member; engaging a firstportion of tissue on a first side of the tear using the first graspingmember; engaging a second portion of tissue on a second side of the tearusing the second grasping member; and moving the second grasping membertoward the first grasping member, thereby closing the tear in thetissue.

According to one feature, the method includes releasing the closuredevice.

Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a surgical closuredevice adapted to be delivered by an endoscope having an axis. Thesurgical closure device includes a first grasping member and a secondgrasping member coupled by a support member; wherein the support memberextends between the first grasping member and the second grasping memberalong a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the endoscope;and wherein the first grasping member is coupled to the support memberand the second grasping member is movably coupled to the support memberand configured for movement along the direction substantially parallelto the axis of the endoscope.

Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a surgical closuredevice adapted to be delivered by an endoscope having an axis. Thesurgical closure device includes a distal tine and a proximal tinecoupled by a shaft; wherein the shaft extends between the distal tineand the proximal tine along a direction substantially parallel to theaxis of the endoscope; and wherein the distal tine is coupled to adistal end of the shaft and the proximal tine is movably coupled to adistal end of the shaft and configured for movement along the directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of the endoscope.

These and further features of the present invention will be apparentwith reference to the following description and attached drawings. Inthe description and drawings, particular embodiments of the inventionhave been disclosed in detail as being indicative of some of the ways inwhich the principles of the invention may be employed, but it isunderstood that the invention is not limited correspondingly in scope.Rather, the invention includes all changes, modifications andequivalents coming within the spirit and terms of the claims appendedthereto.

Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to oneembodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one ormore other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of thefeatures of the other embodiments.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when usedin this specification is taken to specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps or components but does not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,components or groups thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference tothe following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention. Likewise, elementsand features depicted in one drawing may be combined with elements andfeatures depicted in additional drawings. Moreover, in the drawings,like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a surgical closure device inaccordance with one aspect of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a surgical closure device inaccordance with one aspect of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a surgical closure device inaccordance with one aspect of the disclosed technology in an openposition;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a surgical closure device inaccordance with one aspect of the disclosed technology in a partiallyclosed position;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a surgical closure device inaccordance with one aspect of the disclosed technology in a partiallyclosed position;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of a surgical closure device inaccordance with one aspect of the disclosed technology in substantiallyclosed position; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of endoscopically closing atear in a tissue in accordance with one aspect of the disclosedtechnology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To illustrate aspects of the disclosed technology in a clear and concisemanner, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and certainfeatures may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

Surgeons have sought alternatives to conventional suturing techniquesthat are more appropriate for use through an endoscope. Tissue closuredevices typically include ligation loops or endoscopic clips in whichthe tissue-closing motion is in a direction that is approximatelyperpendicular to the axis of the endoscope accessory channel. Tissueclosure along this direction has some limitations and difficulties withrespect to positioning the closure device, as well as being able to spanthe width of a larger tear or defect. Typically, these devices also havefixed relationships that limit the surgeon's ability to position theclip appropriately in relation to a particular tear or defect or otherarea in need of treatment.

The present disclosure recognizes shortcomings with conventionalsurgical closure devices and provides a surgical closure device that isconfigured to align and deploy along an endoscope accessory channel.

Aspects of the disclosed technology will be described in connection witha procedure in which the surgical closure device will be delivered andactuated within or otherwise using an accessory channel of an endoscope.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a surgical closure device 10 is provided. Asnoted above, the surgical closure device is adapted to be delivered byan endoscope having an axis (e.g., through an endoscope accessorychannel having an axis). In accordance with one embodiment, the surgicalclosure device 10 includes a first grasping member 12 (also referred toas a distal grasping member or a distal tine), a second grasping member14 (also referred to as a proximal grasping member or a proximal tine).The second grasping member 14 is spaced apart from the first graspingmember 12 along a direction substantially parallel to the axis of theendoscope (when deployed using an endoscope).

A support member 16 (also referred to as a shaft) extends between thefirst grasping member 12 and the second grasping member 14. The supportmember 16 is coupled to the first support member 12 and the secondgrasping member 14 is movably coupled to the support member 16 such thatthe second grasping member 14 can be moved toward the first graspingmember 12 along the axis of the support member 16 (also along the axisof the endoscope), thereby closing the first grasping member and thesecond grasping member.

In accordance with one embodiment, the second grasping member 14 isconfigured for movement towards the first grasping member 12uni-directionally. For example, the second grasping member can bemovably coupled using a ratcheting mechanism 18 (see FIG. 2) or othersuitable toothed or incremental mechanism, such that the second graspingmember can be moved incrementally toward the first grasping member wherethe second grasping member is in a relatively fixed position at eachmovement increment unable to move away from the first grasping member.Alternatively, the second grasping member 14 can be configured formovement toward the first grasping member 12 and away from the firstgrasping member 12, thereby providing releasable closing of the pair ofgrasping members.

As noted above, the second grasping member 14 is movably coupled to thesupport member 16. The first grasping member 12 and the second graspingmember 14 are coupled to the support 16 at an angle that allows movementand/or deployment through an accessory channel of an endoscope 22, suchas at an angle of less than about forty-five degrees. The first graspingmember 12 and the second grasping member 14 can be pivotally coupled tothe support 16 such that the angle between the support and therespective grasping members can change.

It will be appreciated that the first grasping member 12 and the secondgrasping member 14 can be spaced apart by a predetermined distance. Forexample, the first grasping member 12 and the second grasping member 14,when in an open relationship, can be spaced apart by up to about 15millimeters. Alternatively, the first grasping member 12 and the secondgrasping member 14, when in an open relationship, can be spaced apart byabout fifty millimeters. Other configurations and spacing may beemployed without departing from the scope of the disclosed technology.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the surgical closure device 10 can furtherinclude an outer tube 20 having a proximal end, a distal end and an axisas well as a pusher tube 26 disposed and movable within the outer tube12 along a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the outertube. The outer tube 20 can be sized for use and deployment within anaccessory channel of the endoscope 22. In accordance with one exemplaryembodiment, the outer tube 20 can have an outer diameter of about 2.0millimeters to about 3.5 millimeters. Of course, other sizes may beemployed without departing from the scope of the disclosed technology.

As described above, a surgical closure device or surgical tie 10 can bedisposed and movable within the outer tube 20 where the surgical tieincludes a first grasping member 12, a second grasping member 14 spacedapart from the first grasping member 12 along a direction substantiallyparallel to the axis of the endoscope 22 and a support member 16 coupledto and extending between the first grasping member 12 and the secondgrasping member 14. Parts of the surgical closure device, including thefirst grasping member, the second grasping member and/or the support canbe made from a number of suitable materials commonly used for suchendoscopic applications, including but not limited to bio-absorbablematerials as well as removable materials. Suitable materials includenitinol and stainless steel, as well as any other biocompatiblematerial, including materials currently used in endoscopic clips andligation loops.

With reference now to FIGS. 3-6 and FIG. 7, the surgical closure devicedescribed above can be employed in a method of endoscopically closing atear in a tissue (represented generally by reference element 24). Themethod can include providing a closure device through an endoscopehaving an axis (step 100). It will be appreciated that the closuredevice can have any of the geometries or features described above. Inone embodiment the closure device will be packaged together with anouter tube or outer sheath as well as a pusher tube disposed within theouter tube. The closure device can be deployed through the accessorychannel of an endoscope and positioned to engage a first portion oftissue on a first side of a tear using the first grasping member (step110). The method further includes engaging a second portion of thetissue on a second side of the tear using the second grasping member(step 120) and moving the second grasping member toward the firstgrasping member (step 130), for example, using the pusher tube 26,thereby closing the tear in the tissue (140). After moving the secondgrasping member toward the first grasping member to close the tear inthe tissue, the closure device can be released to remain in the bodyholding the tissue tear together.

It will be appreciated that the grasping tines and/or the support memberwill have sufficient rigidity and flexibility for the desiredapplication. For example, the grasping tines can be flexible andnon-penetrating for polypectomy sites or large ulcers grasping themucosa and submucosa. Also, the tines can be rigid and penetrating forperforation or fistula closure grasping the full thickness of the bowelwall.

As is discussed above, the provision of a surgical enclosure devicehaving first and second grasping members movable along a directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of an endoscope provides advantagesboth in positioning and deployment of the surgical closure device. Forexample, endoscopy typically functions well in line in axis of theendoscope and push/pull mechanisms work well, while side-to-sidemechanisms tend to be difficult in practice. In addition, reachingacross a tissue defect or tear allows placement of the first graspingmember and the second grasping member at anchor sites within thesurgeon's visual field.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalentalterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the artupon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexeddrawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by theabove described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions,etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describesuch elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany element which performs the specified function of the describedelement (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodimentsof the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of theinvention may have been described above with respect to only one or moreof several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined withone or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desiredand advantageous for any given or particular application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical closure device adapted to be deliveredby an endoscope, the surgical closure device comprising: an outer tubehaving a proximal end, a distal end and an axis; a pusher tube disposedand movable within the outer tube along a direction substantiallyparallel to the axis of the outer tube; and a surgical tie disposed andmovable within the outer tube and separable from the outer tube and thepusher tube, the surgical tie comprising: only two grasping members, thetwo grasping members consisting of a first grasping member and a secondgrasping member; and a support member extending between the firstgrasping member and the second grasping member; wherein the firstgrasping member of the two grasping members has a proximal end and adistal end, the proximal end of the first grasping member is directlycoupled to the support member, and the first grasping member extends ina first direction away from the support member; and wherein the secondgrasping member of the two grasping members is spaced apart from thefirst grasping member along a direction substantially parallel to theaxis of the endoscope, the second grasping member has a proximal end anda distal end, the proximal end of the second grasping member is directlycoupled to the support member, the second grasping member extends in thefirst direction away from the support member, and the second graspingmember is movable along the support member relative to the firstgrasping member.
 2. The surgical closure device of claim 1, wherein thesecond grasping member is configured for movement uni-directionallytoward the first grasping member along the direction substantiallyparallel to the axis of the endoscope.
 3. The surgical closure device ofclaim 2, wherein the pusher tube is movable in a distal direction andadapted to move the second grasping member toward the first graspingmember.
 4. The surgical closure device of claim 1, wherein the secondgrasping member is configured for movement toward the first graspingmember and away from the first grasping member along the directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of the endoscope.
 5. The surgicalclosure device of claim 1, wherein the second grasping member is movablealong a first direction toward the first grasping member to close thegrasping members and retain the first grasping member and the secondgrasping member in a relatively closed relationship.
 6. The surgicalclosure device of claim 5, wherein the pusher tube is movable in adistal direction and adapted to move the second grasping member towardthe first grasping member.
 7. The surgical closure device of claim 5,wherein the second grasping member is movable along a second directionopposite the first direction to position the first and second graspingmembers in a relatively open relationship.
 8. The surgical closuredevice of claim 1, wherein the first grasping member and the secondgrasping member are releasably closable along the directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of the endoscope.
 9. The surgicalclosure device of claim 8, wherein the pusher tube is adapted to closethe second grasping member by moving the second grasping member towardthe first grasping member.
 10. The surgical closure device of claim 1,wherein the second grasping member is movably coupled to the supportmember by a ratcheting mechanism.
 11. The surgical closure device ofclaim 1, wherein the first grasping member and the second graspingmember are coupled to the support at an angle of 45 degrees or less. 12.The surgical closure device of claim 1, wherein the first graspingmember and the second grasping member are spaced apart by about 15millimeters.
 13. The surgical closure device of claim 1, wherein thefirst grasping member and the second grasping member are spaced apart byabout 50 millimeters.